Early External Influences: Contact With The North African Trade And Islam SS1 Nigerian History Lesson Note

For many hundreds of years, people have traveled across the Sahara Desert to trade between North Africa and West Africa. These travelers created important routes that connected distant places. These trade routes were not just paths for buying and selling goods – they also became highways for new ideas, beliefs, and ways of living. This lesson explores how trade across the Sahara Desert connected Nigeria with North Africa and the Arab world, how Islam came to Nigeria through these connections, and how these relationships changed Nigerian societies in important ways.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Important Trade Routes

Several major paths crossed the Sahara Desert:

• Air Route: Passed through the Air Mountains in what is now Niger
• Agades Route: Went through the trading city of Agades (now in Niger)
• Fezzan Route: Connected to the Fezzan region in what is now Libya
• Bilma Route: Passed through the oasis of Bilma, famous for its salt mines
• These routes were not easy to travel – they crossed the world’s largest hot desert
• Travelers needed special knowledge about water sources and safe paths
• The journey could take months to complete
• People traveled in large groups called caravans for safety
• Camels were essential for these journeys because they can survive with little water

Who Controlled the Trade?

The Berbers played a key role in trans-Saharan trade:

• The Berbers are indigenous people of North Africa
• They lived in the Atlas Mountains and the northern edges of the Sahara
• They knew the desert routes very well
• They owned and managed the camel caravans
• By the 7th century, many Berbers had converted to Islam
• As Muslims, they had connections with the Arab world
• They controlled most of the trade between North Africa and West Africa
• They worked with local traders in places like Timbuktu, Gao, and Kano
• They became very wealthy through this trade
• Their control of trade routes gave them significant influence

What Goods Were Traded?

Many valuable items moved along these routes:

• From West Africa to North Africa:
  1. Gold from mines in places like Bambuk and Bure
  2. Slaves captured in wars or raids
  3. Ivory from elephant tusks
  4. Kola nuts (used as a stimulant and in ceremonies)
  5. Leather goods, especially from Hausaland
  6. Ostrich feathers for decoration
  7. Cotton cloth, particularly from Kano
• From North Africa to West Africa:
  1. Salt (very valuable and necessary for health)
  2. Dates and dried fruits
  3. Horses (important for warfare and prestige)
  4. Weapons like swords and daggers
  5. Fine cloth and clothing
  6. Beads and jewelry
  7. Books, especially religious texts
  8. Perfumes and spices
  9. Glassware and mirrors

Major Trading Centers

Important cities grew along these trade routes:

• Ngazargamu: Capital of the Kanem-Bornu Empire
• Kano: Major trading city in Hausaland
• Katsina: Important market city
• Agades: Desert trading hub
• Timbuktu: Famous center of trade and learning
• Gao: Trading city on the Niger River
• These cities became wealthy and powerful
• They attracted merchants from many different places
• They developed sophisticated markets and trading systems
• Some became centers of Islamic learning and culture
• Their wealth allowed them to build impressive buildings and defenses

The Spread of Islam to Nigeria

Early Arrival in Kanem-Bornu

Islam first came to what is now Nigeria through Kanem-Bornu:

• Islam reached the Kanem-Bornu Empire around the 9th century
• It came through contact with Muslim traders and scholars
• Mai (King) Umme of Kanem was one of the first rulers to accept Islam
• The royal court adopted Islam while many common people kept traditional beliefs
• Islamic scholars called Ulama became advisors to the Mai
• Ngazargamu became an important center for Islamic learning
• Muslim scholars from North Africa and Egypt came to teach there
• The Kanem-Bornu rulers built mosques and Islamic schools
• They established connections with other Muslim kingdoms
• By the 11th century, Kanem-Bornu was firmly established as a Muslim state

Spread to Hausaland

From Kanem-Bornu, Islam gradually spread westward:

• Islam reached Hausaland mainly between the 14th and 15th centuries
• Muslim traders and scholars traveled to Hausa cities like Kano and Katsina
• Kano’s ruler Muhammad Rumfa (1463-1499) strongly promoted Islam
• He introduced Islamic law (Sharia) and built Friday mosques
• He invited Muslim scholars to his court
• The famous scholar Al-Maghili from North Africa advised him
• Other Hausa states like Zaria and Gobir also accepted Islam
• Trading cities adopted Islam more quickly than rural areas
• The religion became associated with literacy, trade, and political power
• Many rulers converted for political and economic advantages

Pattern of Adoption

Islam spread in specific ways in Nigeria:

• It was first accepted by rulers and elites
• City dwellers adopted it before rural people
• Merchants and traders were often early converts
• It spread along trade routes from north to south
• Men were more likely to convert than women
• It often existed alongside traditional beliefs
• Full acceptance took many generations
• Some areas practiced a blend of Islam and local traditions
• Remote villages often kept their traditional religions
• The spread was generally peaceful, through trade and teaching rather than conquest

Effects of the Relationship with Arabs and Berbers

Trade and Economic Changes

Contact with North Africa transformed Nigerian economies:

• Nigeria became connected to wider trade networks reaching to the Middle East
• Local production increased to meet export demands
• New crops like wheat and certain fruits were introduced
• Specialized crafts developed to create goods for export
• Systems of credit and banking were introduced
• New forms of wealth measurement appeared (coins, gold standards)
• Cities grew larger and more complex
• Markets became more organized
• Commercial classes gained more power and status
• Economic ties created political alliances and relationships

Introduction of Islam

The most significant cultural change was religious:

• Islam brought a new belief system centered on one God (Allah)
• It introduced the Five Pillars of Islam as a guide for life
• It established regular prayer and other religious practices
• New holidays and festivals were added to the calendar
• It created connections to the wider Muslim world
• It changed ideas about law, justice, and government
• It brought new concepts of morality and proper behavior
• It affected family structures and gender roles
• It changed funeral and marriage customs
• It provided alternatives to traditional religious practices

Literacy and Education

The Arabic language and writing system had profound effects:

• Before Arabic writing, most Nigerian societies had oral traditions
• Arabic introduced a formal writing system
• This allowed for record-keeping, contracts, and official documents
• Islamic schools (madrasas) taught reading and writing
• Books became available and libraries were established
• Students could study subjects like mathematics, astronomy, and medicine
• Scholars could record history, poetry, and religious teachings
• Communication over long distances became easier
• Knowledge could be preserved and passed down more accurately
• A new class of educated people emerged

Cultural and Social Influences

Many aspects of daily life changed through North African contact:

• Clothing styles: Long robes, turbans, and veils became common
• Architecture: Mosques, homes, and palaces showed North African influences
• Food: New ingredients and cooking methods were introduced
• Language: Arabic words entered local languages
• Names: Arabic names became popular
• Art: New artistic styles and decorations appeared
• Music: New instruments and musical styles were adopted
• Social structure: New classes based on religious knowledge emerged
• Government: Islamic models of leadership influenced local rulers
• Law: Islamic legal principles were incorporated into local systems

Changes in Traditional Practices

Local customs and beliefs were affected:

• Some traditional religious practices were abandoned
• Others were modified to fit with Islamic teachings
• Traditional priests lost influence as Islamic scholars gained power
• Sacred objects and shrines became less important
• Ancestor worship declined in some areas
• Traditional festivals were replaced by Islamic celebrations
• Magic and divination took on new forms
• Marriage customs changed (polygamy was regulated by Islamic rules)
• Inheritance laws changed to follow Islamic patterns
• Some traditional arts and crafts were modified or disappeared

Long-Term Impact and Legacy

Political Developments

The influence of Islam and Arab connections shaped political history:

• Islamic concepts of government influenced Nigerian states
• Titles and offices from the Muslim world were adopted
• Regional connections to other Muslim states created alliances
• Written constitutions based on Islamic principles appeared
• The concept of the caliphate influenced political organization
• Islamic law became the basis for legal systems
• The Sokoto Caliphate (established 1804) was built on Islamic principles
• Religious leaders gained political authority
• Jihads (religious wars) reshaped political boundaries
• These influences continue to affect Nigerian politics today

Intellectual and Cultural Legacy

The Arab and Islamic influence created lasting cultural patterns:

• Centers of learning that began centuries ago still exist
• Literary traditions in Arabic continue
• Religious scholarship remains important
• Historical records in Arabic provide valuable information
• Scientific knowledge was preserved and developed
• Philosophy and theology were deeply influenced
• Calendar systems and time measurement were affected
• Artistic and architectural styles show lasting influences
• Musical traditions bear the marks of these connections
• Cultural identity for many Nigerians includes Islamic elements

Modern Significance

These historical connections remain important today:

• Islam is now one of Nigeria’s major religions
• Arabic is still studied for religious purposes
• Old trade connections have evolved into modern relationships
• Cultural practices from centuries ago continue
• Historical sites from this period are important cultural landmarks
• Religious institutions from this era still function
• Traditional crafts that developed for trade still exist
• Social structures influenced by these connections persist
• Many Nigerians trace their heritage to this period
• Understanding this history helps explain modern Nigeria